'I never meant to hurt anyone': Milwaukee man sentenced in deadly crash

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man accused of fleeing police and causing a deadly accident in May of 2024 was sentenced Thursday morning, Jan. 2. 

Tensions were high in the courtroom for the sentencing of Jaquon Benson. Judge Michelle Havas says the previous sentencing hearing last month got heated, describing everyone in the gallery as "ready to fight." For safety reasons it was called off and on Thursday, they resumed and decided Benson's fate.

"This truly was an accident, an action I will regret and have to live with for an eternity," said Jaquon Benson. "I never meant to hurt anyone. I am so sorry please forgive me."

Twenty-six-year-old Benson pleaded for forgiveness moments before he was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 13 years of extended supervision.

"You didn’t just stumble here, there were a lot of decisions that went into what happened that day," said Judge Havas.

While pursuing Benson for a stolen plate, police say Benson ran a red light near 27th and Locust, hitting a van and causing it to rollover, which then struck a third vehicle.

"The driving in this case is incredibly problematic and it’s the type of thing we see far too often in our community and this incident will have rippling effects for years to come," said Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flaherty.

Several were injured and 41-year-old Damond Harris was killed, never to meet his newborn baby and leaving his family heartbroken.

"Nothing is going to change that they don’t have their father and that his daughter never got to meet him," said Judge Havas.

Benson pleaded guilty to second degree reckless homicide, reckless injury and the possession of a machine gun.

"I really feel for the family, because at the end of the day we are all taking losses, because no one wins in this situation," said Tomekia Benson, Jaquon's mother. "It's just really horrible."

The judge also ordered Benson to have no contact with any of the victim's families. He will get credit for the time he's already served.